Transported by the Diamond jubilee

We are infantilised by our surreal (plodding) monarchy. Worse though, the jubilee and Olympic jamborees are nothing but diversions from the hard realities of many millions of British people's lives (Met faces legal challenge over pre-emptive arrest tactic, 28 May). The blind eye that most of the media is casting in this direction as it tries to whip up enthusiasm for these diversions is callously avoiding the real story, ie the luke warm reception they are generating, especially outside of London, where most people actually live. The level of understanding that we are being manipulated again is really quite widespread – and consciousness is rising.Diane RandallBromyard, Herefordshire

• Last year, when waiting on the Mall hoping to glimpse the Queen during trooping the colour, I was taken away by the police and questioned on account of my suspicious appearance – wearing a clerical collar and black suit. I very narrowly escaped being transported back to Australia for the offence, which was commuted to public humiliation.

This jubilee weekend I am taking no such risk of being catapulted to another hemisphere after waiting too hopefully behind a barricade, and so celebrate from the safety of choral evensong at St Matthew's Albury back in Australia . We trust that even from this distance Her Majesty feels the warmth of our affection, without the threat to national security that a traditionally attired Australian archdeacon occasionally excites in London.Archdeacon Peter Macleod-MillerSt Matthew's Anglican Church, Albury, New South Wales, Australia